Child Care - Preparing to Go Back to Work

If you talk to enough parents, you’ll hear many different opinions on whether it is best to return to work after having a baby, or at any time during your child’s childhood years.

Ultimately, the decision is a complex and personal one. Regardless of when you decide to return to work, once you’ve made that decision, another looms before you: what to do about childcare?

You may find that your employer is amenable to telecommuting at least some of the time. Many companies are realizing that employees who have a solid family / work balance are more productive, so you may be able to negotiate a flex-time or work-from-home situation. Even in those cases, you’ll need childcare at least some of the time. You may find you have to shop around traditional daycare alternatives, since some cannot accommodate a part-time schedule.

Regulations for full-time daycare centers will vary depending on your locale, but a good place to start is with your state’s Department of Human Services.

They should be able to provide an extensive list of licensed centers in your area; some states use a “star” rating system, with stars awarded for various things such as education of staff members and child-to-caregiver ratio. You should also be able to find information on any violations.

Price is a factor, as well, but don’t assume that the most expensive provider offers the best care. As children get older, prices go down, since infants require a smaller caregiver-to-child ratio.

Obviously, you should weigh the price of childcare against your anticipated income: factor in wardrobe, gasoline, and lunches out, and you may find that returning to work is a wash, financially.

Friends, neighbors, coworkers, and playgroup members can be invaluable resources for finding quality childcare. Don’t be shy about asking around, getting the perspective of other parents, and using that advice to guide your decisions.

No matter how good you feel about your childcare arrangement, the transition will be difficult. It is hard enough to leave your child with your spouse or a trusted relative, but leaving him or her with a virtual stranger will be even more difficult.

Once you’re sure that you’ve chosen the best possible childcare, take a practice run. See how the arrangement will work from a tactical standpoint: packing a diaper bag and getting in the car will be something to get used to. If you’re working from home, be sure you’ve set up clear physical boundaries between your work and childcare spaces.

Even if your child is an infant, doing this will make you feel much better. You may be able to have your child gradually increase the number of hours per day he spends in childcare, assuring a smoother transition.

Don’t underestimate the value of your parenting instincts. If you’ve asked all the “right” questions and thoroughly checked out a provider, you may still have some niggling feeling that things are not right. You know your child better than anyone, so consider his reaction to the situation and your gut feelings. If you find that transition unusually long or complicated, start the process over.